Page 142 of Fate of the Sun King

“It’s the best we can hope for, given the circumstances,” Halo says, and I smile.

“Can you tell us where you’ve been?” Marici asks. “What happened at the end of the Trials?”

I let out a breath. “I don’t think that would be a good idea,” I say. “I know you mean well, but the fewer people who know, the better. You might not have a choice but to reveal information if Atlas finds out.”

Halo nods. “Of course. We understand. You were never really an Umbra rat, were you?”

I snort at that. “Well, I was never from The Umbra, but the rat part is probably true.”

“Somehow, I doubt that,” Marici says, her blue eyes brimming with kindness.

“A toast!” Mael cries from the end of the table, drawing all our attention to him. “To Lor on her birthday. To my boy Nadir, who finally found himself not only love but a fucking mate. And to stirring up some shit in Aphelion!”

Everyone agrees and raises their glass as we all continue eating. As I stare around the table, I’m seized with the warmest feeling of hope. We’re attempting to break into the Sun Palace in two days and praying for the best. Our odds aren’t great, and there’s a more than likely chance Atlas will get his hands on me, but at least I had this moment. It will have to be enough.

When we’ve all had our fill to eat, Callias leans across the table. “Whenever you’re ready.”

“Okay,” I nod. “Let’s do it.”

“Do you need me to come?” Nadir asks, taking my hand.

I shake my head. “I think I’ll do this alone,” I say. This is a moment to cut away a piece of a past I was clinging to, and I think this is something I need to do by myself.

Nadir leans down and whispers in my ear, “When you’re finished, come and see me on the beach. I have something for you.”

“Okay,” I say.

Callias stands and rounds the table, holding out a hand.

“Let’s go, Final Tribute.”

About thirty minutes later, I traipse through the trees. The joyful sounds from the others follow my route, wrapping me in honeyed warmth. Despite everything, I am so grateful for everything good that’s happened.

As I approach the beach, I spy Nadir seated on a patch of grass, facing the water, his knees up and his arms wrapped around them. I take the opportunity to watch him, wishing I could see his face in this unguarded moment.

A moment later, I drop down next to him.

“Hi,” I say, and he peers over and frowns as he studies my face.

“It looks the same. Did Callias have trouble with it?”

I shake my head. “I changed my mind.” He arches an eyebrow as I continue to explain. “I realized the meaning behind this mark is what I choose. That just because he was responsible for it, it doesn’t make it any less a symbol of the things I’d do to protect the people I love.” I fall silent. “Maybe that’s foolish, but it’s how I feel.”

Nadir’s face is a mixture of raw heartbreak and overflowing pride. “It’s not foolish at all.”

“I did do something, though,” I say, pulling the neck of my dress aside to reveal my left shoulder. I didn’t ask Callias to remove my scar, but I did ask him to remove the black brand charred into my skin from Nostraza.

Nadir lifts his fingers and gently touches my now unblemished skin. I’m guessing he’s not much of a crier, what with the whole dark prince persona, but I swear I see a hint of silver lining his eyes.

“Excellent choice, Heart Queen.” He leans down and presses a kiss to the spot, his warm lips lingering on my skin.

In the distance, the chatter of the others reaches us, and I bask in the radiance of their laughter and their joy. Across the water sits the Sun Palace, glowing in the moonlight. I wonder what’s happening inside right now. What’s Gabriel up to? What will we encounter when we attempt to get inside?

“It’s going to be okay,” Nadir says, his gaze following mine.

“You can’t promise that.”

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small box.